Nitrile-Containing Decalins in Medicine

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): More than a third of all current prescriptions have the decalin subunit embedded within the structure. The prevalence of biologically-potent decalins has spawned numerous syntheses though a pressing need still exists for rapid, asymmetric decalin syntheses. The focus of this proposal is to develop three complementary syntheses that rapidly synthesize highly substituted decalins. Key to achieving this aim is a multicomponent 1,2-1,4-addition alkylation reaction that allows for one of the few annulations with unsaturated nitriles. Harnessing this potential with bifunctional Grignard reagents, and particularly with allylsilanes, can conceptually provide access to a diverse array of nitrile containing decalins, hydrindanes, and octalins. The strategy is illustrated with the synthesis of potamogetonin as a potential AIDs inhibitor. Synthesizing potamogetonin not only illustrates the rapid construction of decalin-containing drugs but will determine whether more flexible terpenoids, labdanes in particular, are better AIDs inhibitors than their more rigid analogs. The four specific aims of this proposal are: * Domino addition-alkylations with bifunctional Grignards * Enantio- and diastereoselective addition-alkylations * Multicomponent addition-allylsilane cyclizations * Potamogetonin synthesis to probe the efficacy as an NNRTI Fulfilling these aims will advance knowledge of both nitrile-based reactions and NNRTI inhibitors.